I know that some interstates (near big cities) have lanes designated for cars and small trucks only, so why not expand on this idea and make most interstates much more safe for driving?
This idea might sound silly or unrealistic to some, mainly because we spend so much on the interstates already, but what if this extra lane saved lots of lives? What if we could reduce that 4% of truck-driving related accidents that lead to deaths just by adding another lane on all interstates?
I chose this question because I travel.. A LOT.. and it's scary when I'm trying to get past a semi and they start to come over in my lane. Or when it's pouring down rain in the dark, and it's really windy, and driving is already super dangerous--do we really need 18-wheelers blowing by us at 70 mph to make conditions even more hazardous?
Your thoughts on this? Thanks!
Alex Segobiano :)
13 comments:
I agree with this blog. I also get scared when driving up next to a big semi that takes up all of the lane. I have seen too many fatal car accidents involving semis. If the government made an extra lane for semis, a lot more people would feel more safe driving along the interstate.
I agree completely! Driving next to semis, or being surrounded by them on the interstate is quite frightening. Especially since trucks have blind spots--it's difficult to stay in a spot where they can see you as to avoid them running you off the road or crushing you. if trucks had their own lanes, people would have safer and quicker travels on the highways. It would be worth the investment!
Spice
If there was lane just for semis the highway would be more conjested. With the amount of big rigs these days one single lane would not be enough. You would need at least two, but there is no room for two more lanes on a highway.
Scotty
Would be nice? Heck yes it would. But is it worth the money no. I mean I hate passing semis also, and I travel A LOT. But the money it would cost us would be nuts. We would also need more than one lane for them because a lot of them speed and a lot of the other ones don't.
Micah
Yes i believe trucks should have their own lanes because it has alot accidents involving semis they seem like they cant see the little cars behind them and they tend to swerve over and smash the cars.
Demario Jordan
When I lived in Virginia, they had separate lanes for Semis and a separate lane for car pool. Sounds great, right. Wrong. The Norfolk, VA area has one of the highest rates of crashes in the nation. I would see at least 2-3 wrecks everyday going to and from work (that's about 5 a day). The reason was that people thought they could drive a lot faster since and thus follow closer everyone was segregated, so they didn't have the reaction time that was needed if something did happen. It also rains quite a bit in that area, so they would lose control of their cars and cause a chain reaction because no one else was able to stop. They also would overcompensate when they came up one someone who was driving at reasonable speed and side swipe the guy in the lane next to them. So, no, I don't think it would work because I've seen how if affects the people's driving. The key is to respect semis and understand that they aren't out there to be an inconvenience or to intimidate anyone, they are simply doing a job. And as I've gotten older and less reckless, I've found that it really isn't much of an issue as long as you drive at a reasonable speed (I don't ever go above 70).
Kevin Farnum (8:00)
Whos going to pay for an extra lane? It is a great idean and a lot of places have semi only lanes but the other traffic in bigger cities don't care.
On interstates it would be reasonable to make truckers stay in the left lane. They aren't supposed to go over 65 in any state that I can think of.
Don't worry Alex, sometime in the near future you won't even have to drive your car, it will be doing it for you in the future.
Truckers do cause some accidents but I would bet my bottom dollar that most accidents are caused by people not paying attention, talking on the phone, or at worst, texting on the phone.
I think we should, in some cases, put a regulator on trucks that would allow them to go only 60 miles an hour. That would certainly help but in the meantime just look out for you. Don't do anything to jeopardize you. Just be as carefull as you can.
Jesse Hill 8:00
I like the idea, but roads seem to already take up so much of our land up that I dislike the fact that it would diminish land even more. I also have a little car that gets attacked by gusts of wind--daily, and it just frustrates me further to be gripping my wheel for dear life from just having to pass a semi.I will say that I take a highway pretty much everywhere, because of my problems on the interstate with semis, so I just decided to take a different route.
Jessica Ervin
I do get really scared when I pass a semi or when a semi tries passing me. The thing is is I don't think an extra lane is going to help because feel like us other cars will wend up trying to use that lane anyways. We have to realize that the reason people are getting run off the road isn't always because of the semi's it's because of their own stupidity. For example, I ran into the back of a semi. Not his fault it was mine.
Falynn Clow
I do agree that there should be another lane. Semi drivers have so many distractions while they are driving. They have the radio, their CB, a cellphone, or who knows maybe a tv in the back they are "listening" to. Anyways I believe that there should be an extra lane. However, until that happens I believe semi drivers should be a little more cautious and considerate while driving.
Thysha
You're right it would cost alot of money for an additional lane to all interstate highways, but what is the value of a life? I too have traveled and encountered semi-trucks that are swerving into traffic or driving what I would consider to be way to fast. But, do you think that adding a lane would reduce these instances? Truckers already have stringent rules they have to follow many people/drivers are unaware of the regualations that come with aquiring a CDL. They have numerous hours of in-class education as well as on-the-road test they have to pass. Sleep is a class all in inself. They are required to stop for certain periods of time and rest. All drivers are taught to be defensive, on those rainy days and dark nights I just drive slower. If I get to where I am going a little later, at least I'm alive.
Tyreis(8:00)
I do not think that giving a truck its own lane will make us have less accidents on the highway because at the end of the day the truck is still going to be on the same highway that you are on and you are still going to have to pass the truck on the highway anyways. I think that will cause more problems because at the end of the day we are all going to the same place so whats the use. So no I do not think that trucks should have their own lane.
Sierra (noon)
This would not help. What would really help is if little car and pick-up drivers had a clue on how to drive. I am willing to bet that if they made young kids learn what it takes to stop, start and turn a truck before they got their license that a lot of accidents wouldn't happen. Trucks are nothing to be afraid of and it is the ones that are afraid that cause the most problems. Also most trucks do have a regulator on them to keep them at aprox 65, and there are several states that they can legally go 75. One of the most stupid rules is the split speed limits that many states have. Most drivers will drive in one month what you will drive in your life. We are trained to handle that big scary thing, so maybe you should get my training yourself, or stay out of the way...that would be the best thing
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